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Brain Research Bulletin Jul 2023The complement system is crucial to the innate immune system. It has the function of destroying pathogens by activating the classical, alternative, and lectin pathways.... (Review)
Review
The complement system is crucial to the innate immune system. It has the function of destroying pathogens by activating the classical, alternative, and lectin pathways. The complement system is important in nervous system diseases such as cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Activation of the complement system involves a series of intercellular signaling and cascade reactions. However, research on the source and transport mechanisms of the complement system in neurological diseases is still in its infancy. Studies have increasingly found that extracellular vesicles (EVs), a classic intercellular communication paradigm, may play a role in complement signaling disorders. Here, we systematically review the EV-mediated activation of complement pathways in different neurological diseases. We also discuss the prospect of EVs as future immunotherapy targets.
Topics: Humans; Extracellular Vesicles; Complement System Proteins; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Cell Communication; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 37192717
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110667 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023Liposomes have been used for several decades for the encapsulation of drugs and bioactives in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. On the other hand, the use of these... (Review)
Review
Liposomes have been used for several decades for the encapsulation of drugs and bioactives in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. On the other hand, the use of these phospholipid vesicles in food applications is more recent and is increasing significantly in the last ten years. Although in different stages of technological maturity-in the case of cosmetics, many products are on the market-processes to obtain liposomes suitable for the encapsulation and delivery of bioactives are highly expensive, especially those aiming at scaling up. Among the bioactives proposed for cosmetics and food applications, vitamins are the most frequently used. Despite the differences between the administration routes (oral for food and mainly dermal for cosmetics), some challenges are very similar (e.g., stability, bioactive load, average size, increase in drug bioaccessibility and bioavailability). In the present work, a systematic review of the technological advancements in the nanoencapsulation of vitamins using liposomes and related processes was performed; challenges and future perspectives were also discussed in order to underline the advantages of these drug-loaded biocompatible nanocarriers for cosmetics and food applications.
PubMed: 37177102
DOI: 10.3390/nano13091557 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Apr 2023Multiple preclinical studies have reported a beneficial effect of extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially mesenchymal stem cells derived EVs (MSC-EVs), in the treatment... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Multiple preclinical studies have reported a beneficial effect of extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially mesenchymal stem cells derived EVs (MSC-EVs), in the treatment of sepsis. However, the therapeutic effect of EVs is still not universally recognized. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis by summarizing data from all published studies that met certain criteria to systematically review the association between EVs treatment and mortality in animal models of sepsis.
METHODS
Systematic retrieval of all studies in PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science that reported the effects of EVs on sepsis models up to September 2022. The primary outcome was animal mortality. After screening the eligible articles according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, the inverse variance method of fixed effect model was used to calculate the joint odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan version 5.4.
RESULTS
In total, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of those studies showed that EVs treatment was associated with reduced mortality in animal models of sepsis (OR 0.17 95% CI: 0.11,0.26, P < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed that the mode of sepsis induction, the source, dose, time and method of injection, and the species and gender of mice had no significant effect on the therapeutic effect of EVs.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis showed that MSC-EVs treatment may be associated with lower mortality in animal models of sepsis. Subsequent preclinical studies will need to address the standardization of dose, source, and timing of EVs to provide comparable data. In addition, the effectiveness of EVs in treating sepsis must be studied in large animal studies to provide important clues for human clinical trials.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Vesicles; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Sepsis; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
PubMed: 37069645
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04121-7 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2023There was still no effective treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recently, many preclinical studies had shown promising efficacy of extracellular vesicles (EVs)...
BACKGROUND
There was still no effective treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recently, many preclinical studies had shown promising efficacy of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from various cell sources. Our aim was to compare which cell-derived EVs were most effective in treating TBI through a network meta-analysis.
METHODS
We searched four databases and screened various cell-derived EVs for use in preclinical studies of TBI treatment. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted for two outcome indicators, modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) and Morris Water Maze (MWM), and they were ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA). Bias risk assessment was performed with SYRCLE. R software (version 4.1.3, Boston, MA, USA) was used for data analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 20 studies were included in this study, involving 383 animals. Astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (AEVs) ranked first in response to mNSS at day 1 (SUCRA: 0.26%), day 3 (SUCRA: 16.32%), and day 7 (SUCRA: 9.64%) post-TBI. Extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCEVs) were most effective in mNSS assessment on day 14 (SUCRA: 21.94%) and day 28 (SUCRA: 6.26%), as well as MWM's escape latency (SUCRA: 6.16%) and time spent in the target quadrant (SUCRA: 86.52%). The result of mNSS analysis on day 21 showed that neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NSCEVs) had the best curative effect (SUCRA: 6.76%).
CONCLUSION
AEVs may be the best choice to improve early mNSS recovery after TBI. The efficacy of MSCEVs may be the best in the late mNSS and MWM after TBI.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023377350.
PubMed: 37065922
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1147194 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Apr 2023The increasing incidence of osteoporosis in recent years has aroused widespread public concern; however, existing effective treatments are limited. Therefore, new... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The increasing incidence of osteoporosis in recent years has aroused widespread public concern; however, existing effective treatments are limited. Therefore, new osteoporosis treatment methods, including stem cell transplantation and exosome therapy, have been proposed and are gaining momentum. Exosomes are considered to have greater potential for clinical application owing to their immunocompatibility. This study summarises the latest evidence demonstrating the efficacy of exosomes in improving bone loss in the treatment of osteoporosis.
MAIN TEXT
This systematic review and meta-analyses searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to 26 March 2022 for osteoporosis treatment studies using stem cell-derived exosomes. Six endpoints were selected to determine efficacy: bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume/tissue volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular separation, trabecular thickness, and cortical thickness. The search generated 366 citations. Eventually, 11 articles that included 15 controlled preclinical trials and 242 experimental animals (rats and mice) were included in the meta-analysis.
CONCLUSION
The results were relatively robust and reliable despite some publication biases, suggesting that exosome treatment increased bone mass, improved bone microarchitecture, and enhanced bone strength compared with placebo treatments. Moreover, stem cell-derived exosomes may favour anabolism over catabolism, shifting the dynamic balance towards bone regeneration.
Topics: Rats; Mice; Animals; Exosomes; Osteoporosis; Bone Density; Bone and Bones; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37038180
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03317-4 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer. About 90% of ovary tumors are epithelial. The current treatment for EOC involves surgical...
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer. About 90% of ovary tumors are epithelial. The current treatment for EOC involves surgical debulking of the tumors followed by a combination of chemotherapy. While most patients achieve complete remission, many EOCs will recur and develop chemoresistance. The cancer cells can adapt to several stress stimuli, becoming resistant. Therefore, new ways to fight resistant cells during the disease are being studied. Recently, exosomes, which reflect cell behavior in normal and pathological conditions such as epithelial ovarian cancer, are of academic interest as new biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy. Consequently, the current study aimed to investigate the research output of exosomes in EOC. A bibliometric method was used for analyzing publications on exosome and epithelial ovarian cancer from the beginning to 15 October 2022 by searching keywords in Scopus, PubMed and Google scholar. Annual scientific publications, authors, citations, journals, co-authorships, and keywords co-occurrence were analyzed and plotted using Microsoft Office Excel and VOS viewer. 39 original journal articles and 3 reviews have been published since 2015 up to 15 October 2022. The findings showed that China is the top country in research output, international collaborations, organization, author, and sponsorship. The top journals were the Journal of Ovarian Research, Oncotarget, and Tumor Biology, all in the United States. The top institution was Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. The top author was Xipeng Wang. Co-occurrence analysis showed that academics' interest is toward:1) 1) Exosomes as prognostic biomarkers of EOC as well as their role in the proliferation and migration of cells. 2) The role of exosomes in metastasis through different mechanisms; 3) The role of exosomes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of ovarian cancer cells; 4) The diagnostic role of EVs in EOC; and 5) Conferring chemoresistance in EOC through the exosomal transfer of miRNAs. Research on the exosome and EOC has an increasing trend, and China is much more involved than other countries in research, financial support, and international cooperation. These findings could aid researcher in understanding novel ideas and subjects interested by sponsors in this field.
PubMed: 36969852
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1082066 -
Cell Proliferation Oct 2023The liver is a common secondary metastasis site of many malignant tumours, such as the colorectum, pancreas, stomach, breast, prostate, and lung cancer. The clinical... (Review)
Review
The liver is a common secondary metastasis site of many malignant tumours, such as the colorectum, pancreas, stomach, breast, prostate, and lung cancer. The clinical management of liver metastases is challenging because of their strong heterogeneity, rapid progression, and poor prognosis. Now, exosomes, small membrane vesicles that are 40-160 nm in size, are released by tumour cells, namely, tumour-derived exosomes (TDEs), and are being increasingly studied because they can retain the original characteristics of tumour cells. Cell-cell communication via TDEs is pivotal for liver pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation and liver metastasis; thus, TDEs can provide a theoretical basis to intensively study the potential mechanisms of liver metastasis and new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of liver metastasis. Here, we systematically review current research progress about the roles and possible regulatory mechanisms of TDE cargos in liver metastasis, focusing on the functions of TDEs in liver PMN formation. In addition, we discuss the clinical utility of TDEs in liver metastasis, including TDEs as potential biomarkers, and therapeutic approaches for future research reference in this field.
Topics: Humans; Exosomes; Liver Neoplasms; Cell Communication; Pancreas; Biomarkers, Tumor; Tumor Microenvironment; Neoplasm Metastasis
PubMed: 36941028
DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13452 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying functional cargoes are emerging as biomarkers and treatment strategies in multiple liver diseases. Nevertheless, the potential of...
INTRODUCTION
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying functional cargoes are emerging as biomarkers and treatment strategies in multiple liver diseases. Nevertheless, the potential of EVs in liver failure remains indistinct. In this systematic review, we comprehensively analyzed the potential of EVs as biomarkers of liver failure and the therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of EVs for liver failure.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review by comprehensively searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to March 2022. The used text words (synonyms and word variations) and database-specific subject headings included "Extracellular Vesicles", "Exosomes", "Liver Failure", "Liver Injury", etc.
RESULTS
A total of 1479 studies were identified. After removing 680 duplicate studies and 742 irrelevant studies, 57 studies were finally retained and analyzed. Fourteen studies revealed EVs with functional cargoes could be used to make the diagnosis of liver failure and provide clues for early warning and prognostic assessment of patients with liver failure. Forty-three studies confirmed the administration of EVs from different sources alleviated hepatic damage and improved survival through inhibiting inflammatory response, oxidative stress as well as apoptosis or promoting hepatocyte regeneration and autophagy.
CONCLUSIONS
EVs and their cargoes can be used not only as superior biomarkers of early warning, early diagnosis and prognostic assessments for liver failure, but also as potentially effective treatment options for liver failure. In the future, large-scale studies are urgently needed to verify the diagnostic, predictive and therapeutic value of EVs for liver failure.
Topics: Humans; Biomarkers; Extracellular Vesicles; Liver Failure; Liver Diseases
PubMed: 36911706
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1116518 -
Sexual Medicine Apr 2023Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common disease among elderly men, and novel therapy methods are needed for drug-refractory ED. As an extracellular vesicle, stem...
INTRODUCTION
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common disease among elderly men, and novel therapy methods are needed for drug-refractory ED. As an extracellular vesicle, stem cell-derived exosomes displayed erectile function improvement in rat ED models in some preclinical studies. However, the therapeutic efficacy has not been comprehensively evaluated.
AIM
To study the therapeutic effects of stem cell-derived exosomes on ED in preclinical studies and to investigate the potential mechanisms responsible for the efficacy.
METHODS
The systematic literature search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase to retrieve studies utilizing stem cell-derived exosomes for ED treatment. We extracted data of intracavernous pressure/mean artery pressure (ICP/MAP), and cavernosum structural changes in rat ED models before and after stem cell-derived exosome therapy. RevMan 5.3 was used to perform meta-analyses of ICP/MAP and cavernosum microstructural changes. Publication bias was assessed with the Egger test and funnel plot by Stata 15.0 (StataCorp).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Outcomes included ICP/MAP, smooth muscle, and endothelial markers-such as the ratio of smooth muscle to collagen and the expression of α-SMA (alpha smooth muscle actin), CD31 (cluster of differentiation 31), nNOS and eNOS (neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase), TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor β1), and caspase 3 protein-to evaluate erectile function and microstructural changes. Forest plots of effect sizes were performed.
RESULTS
Of 146 studies retrieved, 11 studies were eligible. Pooled analysis showed that stem cell-derived exosomes ameliorated damaged ICP/MAP (standardized mean difference, 3.68; 95% CI, 2.64-4.72; < .001) and structural changes, including the ratio of smooth muscle to collagen and the expression of α-SMA, CD31, nNOS, eNOS, TGF-β1, and caspase 3 protein. Subgroup analysis indicated that exosome type and ED model type made no difference to curative effects.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis suggests the therapeutic efficacy of stem cell-derived exosomes for ED. Exosomes may restore erectile function by optimizing cavernosum microstructures.
PubMed: 36910707
DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfac019 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023Seminal plasma contains numerous extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Since sEVs are apparently involved in male (in)fertility, this systematic review focused on studies... (Review)
Review
Seminal plasma contains numerous extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Since sEVs are apparently involved in male (in)fertility, this systematic review focused on studies specifically investigating such relationship. Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched up to 31 December 2022, primarily identifying a total of 1440 articles. After processing for screening and eligibility, 305 studies were selected as they focused on sEVs, and 42 of them were considered eligible because they included the word fertility or a related word such as infertility, subfertility, fertilization, and recurrent pregnancy loss in the title, objective(s), and/or keywords. Only nine of them met the inclusion criteria, namely (a) conducting experiments aimed at associating sEVs with fertility concerns and (b) isolating and adequately characterizing sEVs. Six studies were conducted on humans, two on laboratory animals, and one on livestock. The studies highlighted some sEV molecules, specifically proteins and small non-coding RNAs, that showed differences between fertile and subfertile or infertile males. The content of sEVs was also related to sperm fertilizing capacity, embryo development, and implantation. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that several of the highlighted sEV fertility-related proteins would be cross-linked to each other and involved in biological pathways related to (i) EV release and loading and (ii) plasma membrane organization.
Topics: Pregnancy; Animals; Female; Male; Humans; Semen; Fertility; Infertility, Male; Spermatozoa; Extracellular Vesicles
PubMed: 36902244
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054818